HC Deb 28 March 1912 vol 36 cc588-9
Mr. PATRICK MEEHAN

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Michael Brennan was evicted from a farm of fifty acres at Fallowbeg, on the Lansdowne estate, Queen's County; that his son, Denis Brennan, applied to the Estates Commissioners for reinstatement in his father's farm or an allotment of land elsewhere; that his application was refused; and that he subsequently was given an allotment of six acres on the Mahon Stritch estate, not as the representative of an evicted tenant, but as an uneconomic holder; and whether Denis Brennan's case will be reconsidered with a view of giving him the advantages that he is entitled to under the Evicted Tenants Act?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Estates Commissioners received an application from Denis Brennan for reinstatement in a holding on the estate referred to, formerly occupied by his father, and now in the possession of a tenant who has purchased the fee simple under the Land Purchase Acts. Denis Brennan had a farm of over twenty-four acres on the Stritch estate, Queen's County, and when the Commissioners acquired land on that estate they allotted Brennan a parcel, which he holds in addition to the farm already in his possession. The Commissioners do not propose to take any further action in the matter.

Mr. MEEHAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the allotment was given on the ground that his holding was uneconomic, and not because he was the representative of an evicted tenant?

Mr. BIRRELL

I believe it is the fact that those six acres were given for a good reason, to make his holding economic.

Mr. MOLLOY

asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that a large number of evicted tenants in Carlow County who applied to the Estates Commissioners for reinstatement or for new holdings under the Evicted Tenants Act have not yet been provided with holdings, although their cases have long since been noted for consideration by the Commissioners; and can he state when their applications will be dealt with?

Mr. BIRRELL

There are now only eight County Carlow evicted tenants whose applications have been noted by the Estates Commissioners for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land, and who have not yet been provided with holdings, and their cases will be dealt with as soon as practicable.

Mr. MOLLOY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great number of evicted tenants in County Carlow who were not aware of the procedure of the Evicted Tenants Act, and who failed to send in their applications in time, and will he take their applications into consideration?

Mr. BIRRELL

There may be a great number, but there are only eight whose applications have been noted by the Commissioners for consideration.

Mr. MOLLOY

asked whether the Estates Commissioners received within the prescribed time from Catherine Gahan, now of Lackbeg, Kildavin, county Carlow, an application for reinstatement in the holding from which she was evicted on the estate of Colonel Tottenham, county Wexford, or for a new holding in lieu of it, and when the Commissioners intend to deal with the application?

Mr. BIRRELL

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question on this subject asked by the hon. Member for North Wexford on the 4th July last, to which I have nothing to add.